When applying for senior management roles, the problem with resume writing is seldom a lack of experience but rather knowing how to present your expertise to best highlight your managerial skills.

The answer is a clear, concise resume summary. This gives your resume a professional introduction and helps frame your experience in a relevant and captivating way.

Writing summaries can be challenging, so in this article, we will walk you through how to write a management summary for your resume, how to tailor it to different industries, and the most common mistakes managers make when composing their resume summaries.

Why is a summary crucial for management resumes in 2023?

A resume summary is a brief section at the top of your resume that outlines your professional skills and experience. Your summary aims to catch a recruiter's attention and explain why your resume is relevant to their position. This is far preferred to the outdate objective section.

With more and more companies using ATS software to filter applications, summaries are vital in 2023 to ensure your resume makes it into the hands of a recruiter. Including strong keywords and relevant skills ensures ATS does not reject your resume and helps you make a strong first impression.

On the topic of ATS, you can find out if your resume is readable by ATS systems by uploading it to the tool below. It’ll scan your resume and provide feedback on its readability, and also evaluate the effectiveness of your resume summary and other sections.

How to write a resume summary to highlight your management experience

Your resume summary is the first thing an employer will read, so make it count.

Use our Resume Summary Generator and follow this five-step process to craft a powerful summary that highlights your management experience.

1: Lead with the job title

Start your summary with the job title you are applying for and use this title to describe yourself, regardless of your past experience. For example, if you are applying for the position of Project Manager, start your summary with the phrase “Experienced Project Manager” or "Accomplished Project Manager."

2: Describe the scope of your experience

After your title, indicate how many years of management experience you have in your sector and the type of businesses you’ve worked for.

3: Include relevant metrics

Choose a relevant, stand-out accomplishment and back it up using quantifiable metrics. Use the standard power phrase format - focusing on a skill, task, and result, - and detail the positive impact of your involvement (e.g. improved revenue, increased sales, etc.)

4: Match the job description

Mention 2-3 skills that match the job description and demonstrate senior management experience. This will not only grab the reader's attention but will also help you make it through ATS.

5: Check and recheck

Once crafted, run your summary through a Resume Scanner to compare it to the job description and find any missing keywords that could improve your resume’s compatibility.

Tips for writing a management summary

Senior and managerial positions will often attract large numbers of applicants, so a catchy, well-worded summary is vital.

Keep it short

Your summary should be 3-4 sentences, 6 lines max. Think of your summary as an elevator pitch- it should be impressive, attention-grabbing, and make a recruiter want to read more.

Skip the buzzwords

Synergy, dynamic, motivated - buzzwords like these are overused and provide little information about your skills, with many recruiters claiming they can actually hinder your application. Instead, stick to plain language, power phrases, and action verbs, and steer clear of catchy buzzwords.

Forget modesty

Your resume is not the place for false modesty. You have earned your accomplishments; it’s ok to recognize them. Remember, it’s not bragging if you back up your statements with facts.

Ditch the objective

The traditional Objective Statement has lost its appeal in 2023, as recruiters are more interested in what you can do for them than what they can do for you. Replace your objective with a well-crafted summary.

Tailor, tailor, tailor

Just like the rest of your resume, your summary should be tailored to each application. Target the keywords from the job description and include only relevant skills and experience. More on this below.

How to improve a poorly written summary

Here is an example of a weak management summary:

Would you feel inspired to offer this candidate an interview? Probably not.

This summary lacks any unique selling points or memorable qualities. It’s generic, vague, and doesn’t tell the reader about the candidate's actual experience.

Here is how to improve this statement using the five steps detailed above:

This statement is far more powerful. It starts with the job title, highlights specific achievements, and demonstrates the candidate's experience using quantifiable metrics. It swaps overused buzzwords for direct language and emphasizes how the candidate can benefit the employer.

For more examples and templates of effective management summaries, check out our list of 2023 resume summary examples.

How to tailor your resume summary to different managerial positions

Tailoring your resume is about choosing skills and experience that relate to the job you’re applying for. When targeting your resume for managerial positions, consider the industry, position, and company culture.

Below are examples of how to tailor your resume summary to different positions depending on the industry, role, and company structure.

Applying for a managerial position at a tech startup

Key points to focus on for startups are innovation, creativity, and a growth-focused mindset. Include any previous experience with similar business models and use keywords like face-paced, agile, and innovative.

For example:

Applying for a corporate executive role

For corporate executive roles, demonstrate strong leadership through lengthy experience and/or team management. Identify specific metrics that align with corporate objectives, such as market share and revenue growth.

For example:

Applying for a managerial role at a non-profit

Non-profits have a unique need for both data-driven results and compassionate leadership. Mention fundraising or mission-oriented projects, and align with the company's prime focus, such as education or humanitarian work.

For example:

Applying for a remote management role

For remote management roles, demonstrate an ability to adapt and learn, and highlight tech skills. Keywords include productivity, efficiency, and adaptability, and mention job-specific skills, such as juggling time zones or remote workflow software.

For example:

Common mistakes when writing a management summary

Being vague

“Experienced manager with a strong track record.” This statement provides no evidence of the stated skills. Instead, back up every statement with proven results.

Focusing too much on yourself

Stating that you are looking for a “challenging managerial role” where you can “develop your skills'' may be accurate, but that won’t convince a recruiter to hire you. Focus on the employer’s needs and demonstrate the value you can bring to the team rather than what you’re looking to gain from the position.

Providing too much detail

Remember, your summary should be a teaser, a small sample to grab a recruiter’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Short and sweet is key.